Investigation Clears Interim Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens

A police investigation has found that interim Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens did not threaten a former officer last year in a coffee shop.

By RICK ROUSOSTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | A police investigation has found that interim Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens did not threaten a former officer last year in a coffee shop.The investigative report, compiled by LPD's Office of Professional Standards, was released Thursday by the city.Retired Officer Jimmy Mock met with Giddens, then the assistant LPD chief, at Mitchell's Coffee House April 25 last year. That the pair met is not in dispute, but they disagree about what was said at their meeting.Mock had drawn the ire of then-Chief Lisa Womack because he posted Ledger articles about the department on his Facebook page and he also posted unfavorable comments. The report said one of Womack's concerns about Mock was that he made comments about her personal financial dealings.Giddens suggested to Womack that he visit with Mock because he knew Mock, the report said.Mock told an LPD investigator that Giddens told him that if he didn't stop the Facebook postings, his status would be changed from "retired in good standing" to "retired in poor standing."Mock said that meant he would no longer be invited to the LPD's retirement dinner, no longer be allowed to qualify at the firing range and no longer be welcome at the police station.The investigation found "no evidence" that Mock's status as a retiree in good standing was threatened and also found no evidence that Mock's First Amendment rights were violated."I am satisfied with the results of the investigation and believe a comprehensive review of the allegations was completed," Giddens said Thursday in a prepared statement. "This chapter is over and we can continue to move forward."Mock said he was neither satisfied nor surprised with the results. He said he told investigators the truth and even offered to take a polygraph test, but it never happened."They've made me out to be a liar," Mock said. He said he's looking into his legal options and will consult with a lawyer to determine whether a lawsuit is in order.Mock, 58, retired from LPD in 2010 after 23 years of service.LPD may be able to move forward soon, but not quite yet. The department is investigating another complaint against Giddens that was filed in early February. No details about the complaint have been made public.City Manager Doug Thomas said Thursday in a prepared statement that the investigation into the second complaint should be concluded and open to the public next week.